Beitrag

Beitrag is a German noun (der Beitrag) that denotes a thing brought forward by someone to a shared project or discourse. The core sense is a contribution or input, but the term also covers related uses such as a newspaper or broadcast piece and a payment to a fund or social security system.

Etymology and forms: from tragen "to carry" with the prefix bei-, literally "something carried along." The noun yields the plural Beiträge. In compounds it appears in terms such as Beitragszahlung (contribution payment), Beitragssatz (contribution rate), Beitragsbemessung (contribution assessment), and Beitragspflicht (obligation to contribute).

Usage in language: In everyday speech one speaks of "einen Beitrag leisten" to make a contribution, or "Mein Beitrag zum Projekt" for one's share. In journalism and media, a "Beitrag" can be a report or feature, and in online contexts often a "Blog-Beitrag" or "Zeitungsbeitrag" for an article or post. The sense ranges from a short note to a longer piece, depending on context.

Contexts of payment: In social security and public funds, "Beiträge" are payments by individuals or organizations. "Beitragspflicht" denotes the obligation to contribute, while "Beitragsbemessung" and "Beitragssatz" describe the calculation basis and rate. A well-known example is the Rundfunkbeitrag, the broadcasting fee in Germany.